Vol. 43, No. 10, September 7, 1956. 8 pages. View this issue
The JACL’s 14th Biennial convention in San Francisco filled this issue. Its theme, “Changing Perspectives,” challenged delegates to look beyond domestic affairs to the international scene. Edward J. Ennis gave the keynote address, and Maxwell Rabb, secretary to President Eisenhower’s cabinet, urged Japanese Americans to help win Japan’s friendship. Dr. Roy Nishikawa of Los Angeles was elected national president for 1956-58. George Inagaki was named Nisei of the Biennium, and Jerry Enomoto and Abe Hagiwara shared the JACLer of the Biennium award.
Outside the council sessions, three California organizations endorsed Proposition 13, the repeal of the state’s 1920 Alien Land Law, and the San Francisco Chronicle did the same in an editorial. Larry S. Tajiri recalled Gordon Hirabayashi’s 1,600-mile hitchhike to serve his prison term. Convention sports results, a Seattle column on Issei voters, and Mike Masaoka’s closing assessment of the week also appear.
What’s in this issue
Community
- 14th Biennial Lives Up to Confab Theme, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The 14th Biennial JACL convention in San Francisco took up the theme ‘Changing Perspectives,’ challenging delegates to shift their focus from domestic affairs to the international scene. Keynote and banquet speakers urged Japanese Americans to take an active role in U.S.-Japan relations.
- Ennis Receives 4,000-Word Message from Himself, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Edward Ennis arrived in San Francisco with the wrong briefcase, containing notes from the Democratic Convention instead of his keynote text. His secretary wired the full speech to him in time for the address.
- Seattle Voting Machines Readied for Sept. 11 Primaries; Issei to Vote, by Elmer Ogawa, page 6. Elmer Ogawa visits King County’s voting machine warehouse in Seattle, where 1,600 machines are prepared for the September primaries. He notes the growth of the voting system and the increase in new Issei citizens registering.
- Delano Dentist Wins Fish Derby, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Dr. James Nagatani of Delano won the JACL convention fishing derby by catching two 27-pound salmon. Other anglers in his boat also landed fish.
- Japanese Food Import Firms in S.F. Organize, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Ten major importers of Japanese food in San Francisco formed the America-Japan Food Importers Association. The group aims to protect shared interests and investigate credit conditions of Japanese suppliers.
- Negro Housing Complaint Denied in Canadian Case, by P.C. Staff, page 8. A Toronto judge ruled that a Bathurst Street apartment building was not a place customarily open to the public, despite finding that a Black applicant was refused because of his color. Critics said the ruling rendered Ontario’s fair accommodations law nearly ineffective.
JACL
- Delegates Quiet on Opening Day of ‘Changing Perspectives’ Convention, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Delegates to the opening National Council session were subdued at first, but grew more animated by the final session, particularly over the farm workers problem. The council considered nominations, civil rights, housing discrimination, and evacuation claims.
- Rabb Delivers Confab Address, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Maxwell Rabb, secretary to President Eisenhower’s cabinet, urged JACL members to help combat Communist inroads in Japan by helping Japanese relatives understand U.S. intentions. He also called on Japanese Americans to help the United States win the confidence of Japan.
- Inagaki’s Leadership Over and Above JACL Merits Biennium Award, by P.C. Staff, page 3. George Inagaki was named Nisei of the Biennium at the convention banquet, while Jerry Enomoto and Abe Hagiwara were jointly named JACLer of the Biennium. Citations recognized their extensive community and organizational service.
- Roy Nishikawa Wins National JACL Presidency, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Dr. Roy Nishikawa of Los Angeles was unanimously elected national JACL president for 1956-58. Other officers were chosen by secret ballot, including Shig Wakamatsu as first vice-president and Jack Noda as second vice-president.
Incarceration & Redress
- S.F. Chronicle Says ‘Yes on Prop. 13’, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The San Francisco Chronicle editorially endorsed Proposition 13 to repeal California’s 1920 Alien Land Law, which had been unconstitutional since 1952. The editors argued the dead law still offended Japanese Americans and should be removed from the books.
- American Legion, State Labor Group Endorse ‘Yes on Prop. 13’, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The American Legion Department of California and the California CIO Political Action Committee both endorsed Proposition 13 to repeal the Alien Land Law. The State Federation of Labor and many other organizations had also endorsed the measure.
In-Depth
- Relationship with Japan Part of ‘Changing Perspectives’ Theme, by Edward J. Ennis, page 3. In his keynote address, Edward Ennis called for a reappraisal of the Japanese American community’s relationship to Japan and its right to voice views on foreign policy. He noted Japan’s new role as a principal American ally against Communism in Asia.
Military & Veterans
- Gordon Hirabayashi’s Trip to Prison, by Larry S. Tajiri, page 3. Larry Tajiri recalls Gordon Hirabayashi hitchhiking 1,600 miles to serve a federal prison term after his evacuation-curfew test case. Hirabayashi was initially refused entry at the Arizona camp and had to wait two days before being admitted.
- Letter from Baldo M. M. Kristovich on American Legion Article, by Baldo M. M. Kristovich, page 8. Kristovich writes to praise Larry Tajiri’s column on the American Legion’s changing attitude toward Nisei veterans. He says the Nisei soldiers’ courage in World War II and Korea earned the respect of their fellow servicemen.
Commentary
- Changing Perspectives (Perspectively Yours), by Jerry Enomoto, page 4. Convention chairman Jerry Enomoto reflects on the 14th Biennial’s record attendance, youth and Issei participation, and well-run activities. He thanks delegates and committee members and promises a post-mortem in a future column.
- JACL’s Role Among Japanese Americans in the New America, by Maxwell M. Rabb, page 4. Maxwell Rabb’s full convention speech urges Japanese Americans to help the United States win the friendship of Japan as an Asian ally. He argues that equal treatment at home is essential to American moral leadership abroad.
- Whither in 1958, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Harry Honda discusses where the 15th Biennial might be held, noting no chapter bid was submitted and the board will decide in six months. He also reflects on convention logistics and the lively socializing of the week.
- Very Truly Yours, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Honda offers observations on the convention’s hospitality, delegate politicking, and attendance at the banquet. He notes Rabb’s gift and the installation of the new national president.
- The 14th Biennial, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 8. Mike Masaoka calls the 14th Biennial one of the biggest and best national conventions, with about 1,800 attending. He praises the keynote and banquet speakers and the election of new national officers.
Sports
- Mile-Hi Takes Home Bridge Cup, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The Mile-Hi chapter won the Hiura Perpetual trophy for duplicate bridge at the JACL convention. Winners in both the east-west and north-south divisions were also named.
- Yoshioka Cops CL Golf Honors, by P.C. Staff, page 7. Frank Yoshioka of San Jose took low gross honors in the 36-hole JACL convention golf tournament. Flight winners and special award recipients were also listed.
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